Tim McGraw Surprises Soldiers to Say Thanks During Nashville Luncheon

Tim McGraw surprised 30 soldiers and their families during a Veteran's Day appreciation luncheon at Outback Steakhouse in Brentwood, Tenn. on Thursday. The singer gave out handshakes, words of encouragement and thank yous to the men and women for their service.

"I just feel lucky to do what I do for a living and things like this that I get to do," McGraw told Nashville, Tenn. newspaper the Tennessean at the event. "I think it's the most important thing that we have."

McGraw's connection to the military runs deep. His sister is a veteran of the first Gulf War, his grandfather was a World War II veteran and his uncle was a Vietnam veteran. "It’s in the family, but in the larger scope, we wouldn’t be able to tick with out it in our country and do the things we do, we wouldn’t be able travel like we travel,” the singer explained. “Our military in a lot of ways makes the larger part of the world a safer place.”

McGraw has done much to support the troops, including partnering with Operation Homefront, ACM Lifting Lives and Chase Bank to help provide 25 mortgage-free homes to wounded soldiers and their families during the tour stops on his recent Brothers of the Sun Tour with Kenny Chesney.

Outback Steakhouse continues its celebration of soldiers and Veteran's Day by giving away a free Bloomin' Onion appetizer to military members from Nov. 11-12, and by giving a Military Mates 10 percent discount through the end of the year.